The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-09-22
TWENTH-NINE YEARS In COURT.
A Suit. Filed in 1859, Involving Ownership
in Slaves lust Decided.

ATLANTA. Ga, Sept 21--A case decided in
the Butts Superior Court has an interesting.
history, involving more than $50.ee0 It hass
been on the docket since 1859, and was never
tried before. In the county OF Butts resided
Robert Grier, the author of sc rier's Almanac ri
The old astronomer died in 184s leaving an only
son. Algernon s. Grier. TO whom be left a lareeF
property In the summer OF 1858 an informa-i
tion suit was instituted in the Butts Suparior{
Court against Aigenon Grier. on the ground that
he had given in his property for taxation at less
than it was worth, which would have subjected
him to heavy penalties. Mr.. Grier was man
of weak mind. but transacted his own business
and made his own contracts. When he iearuod5
OF the tax suit he became much alarmed and ON
the 18th day OF September of that year he gave
DR. organs written transfer of ali his property
consisting OF ] 400 ncres Of land. sixty slaves.
ten mules. two horses. forty-three pales of cot
ton, a large quantity of corn and fodder, stock
cattle. etc. for the price of s22. 900.
Soon after this Bryans gave him notes for the,
purchase money one for go 600, and four for
s., 6O0 the notwithstanding interest for four
years. and received regular deeds. bills of sale
and written transfers Grier remained in pos s
session, and some time in 1859 Dr. Bryana
demanded possession of the property, which
Grier refused TO give up whereupon DR.. Bryanss
brought an action of trover fer tho negroes
mules. cotton, and other personal property.
and thus this longlved case began The de-
Tense set up was that Mr. Grier, being UNDER
great excitement by reason Of the tax suit veg
easily imposed upon, and while in that condition.
Of mind DIR. BrYans persuaded him to mako as
written transfer of his property TO him at the
price at which he had returned 10 for taxes and
that such Q transaction would show good faith
ia hts retutn thus defeat the tax suit. and when
said suit was ended the property should belong
to Grier.
The plaintiff insisted that the trade wal bona
fde one In 1868 Grier died. his administrator
was made party, and the case wes continued
until the present term. In the meantime The
mules. horses. hogs, and cattle had died. the
negroes had been set free every lawyer originals
ly in the case except Judge Boynton had died.
men had grown gray attending witnesses in
the case. aud children had been born and raised
after the case was brought 60 try it as Jurors
The Hon. u. w. Beck was chosen by che parties 4.
to preside Judge Boynton baing disqualified
On the part of the plaintiff, the bills of sale
describing than fifty men, women and
children "a the owners of various names such
as Bob Jim. Sally Lucy, Maria. Jana and Judy.
and valued variously at from 800 20 81 200 each.
also the mules and horses were put in evidence
The value of each was proved. aud the demand
and refusal to deliver up the property. The
whole amount OF values and hire proved amourt-
ed to about $4,000. The case consumed only ri
day and half, and just twenty-nine years from
the date Of the first written transfer evidence the
OF the sale of A. s. Griers estate a Jury
set that contract aside and rendered verdict fol-
the defendant